Lye regulator for peach-peeling machines



Dec. 19, 1922.

' 8.1. DUNKLEY.

LYE REGULATOR FOR PEACH FEELING MACH|NES..

FILED AUG-8,1921.

11w EVTOR A TTOREFFYSE 2 N m\ 6 L Patented Dec. 19, 1922.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

LYE REGULATOR FOR PEACH-FEELING MACHINES.

Application filed August 8, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at. Oakland, county of Alameda. State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in -Lye Regulators for Peach-Peeling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a means for regulating and controlling the strength of the lye solution in a lye peach peeling apparatus.

The objects of the invention are to provide complete automatic control of the strength of the lye or other disintegrating solution.

Objects of the invention pertaining to economics and details in construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the apparatus and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated, largely diagrammatically, in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification in which:

Fig. I is a detail side elevation view of my improved apparatus .as applied to the lying section of a peach peeling machine, certain parts being merely indicated in diagram.

Fig. II is an end elevation sectional view of the structure taken on the irregular line 2-2 looking in the direction of the arrows of Fig. I, showing certain details of the circulation means.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail view through the automatic hydrometer control section, the hydrometer tank and the hydrometer guard being in section.

In the drawing similarnumerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Considering the parts by their reference numbers. 1 is the lying section of one of my improved peach peeling machines simi lar to that illustrated in my patent appli cation dated January 1921. Serial No. 435.979. 2 is the main tank which also is the means for collecting the used lye from the peaches. the same having been first strained and cleared of the disintegrated peach peel and other debris by the screen means 12. 3 is the heating and pressure Serial No. 490,752.

tanlk supplied with suitable steam heating C01 s.

Lye is taken from the tank 2 by the centrifugal pump 4 through the suction pipe 5 and discharged into the tank 3 through the pipe 6. Tank 2 is alsosupplied with water to keep up the volume. The same may be controlled by suitable overflow.

The heated lye passes from the pressure tank 3 through pipe 7 up by the side of the lying section of my improved peach peeler and when the machine is in operation delivers to the spray nozzles through the valves 88 (see Fig. 1).

Pipe 7 in reduced section is continued at 7 for circulation purposes and for the purpose of dissolving and admixing additional caustic soda into the lye to maintain the strength. Shut-off valve 13 is provided for this pipe.

The lye-mixing tank 9 is like that appearing in my Patent No. 1,374,291, the details of which I do not here illustrate as they are no part of my present invention.

Pipe 10 leads fron'i'valvc 13 to tank 9 and is provided for delivering water or the weakened lye solution into this tank 9 so that it will dissolve and take up additional caustic soda. When the lye solution from this tank is strengthened it is discharged by gravity through the pipe 11 into the'main tank 2 and increases the strength of the solution therein. A cock 11 is provided in pipe 11.

Pipe 14 branches from the pipe 7 downwardly, being controlled by valve M, and delivers into the hvdrometer tank 15. The hydrometcr 16 is disposed herein in a suitable hydrometer guard and guide 16'. The upper end of the hydrometer'float 16 is connected to the end of the lever 17, which lever is t'ulcrnmed at 18 and is provided with a binding post 2-1 that connects to an electric line and delivers through a conductor plate and contact means 21 through contacting with the lower end of the binding post 22 supported and carried bythe adjustable collar 23 to the motor. A pointer 24: carried by adjust-able collar 23 indicates on the scale 25 the elevation of the adjustment of this contact device which. of counse. regulates the density because of the relative elevation of the hydrometcr bulb '16. The hydrometer bulb is protected "from agitation by the contents of tank 15 by the baille plate 19 extending up in front of the intake of the pipe 14 and the battle 20 beyond the same. projecting down from the top of the tank 15 so that there is only a gradual even flow of fluid through this tank which overflows through the comparatively large pipe 15 down- Wardly into the circulation return pipe 11.

Anauxiliary centrifugal pump 26 is provided and is electrically driven by the motor 27. The current to this motor is controlled by the hydrometer float as already pointed out.

The intake 28 of pump 26 connects to the tank 2 and its delivery is through pipe 29 to the circulation pipe 10 delivering into the mixing tank 9. (See Fig. T.)

I have now described the various parts of my improved structure and I will indicate their operation. The object of the principal machine is to deliver hot lye through the pipe 7 to the lying section through thevalves 8-8. Of course, the lye is used up or consumed by this process. As much of it, however, as possible is recovered and strained through the strainer 12 and passes down into the tank '2. The volume of solutions is maintained in this tank by adding for the need of the maintenance of the strength of the lye would be all that is required. However, it is important to keep the strength. of the lye constant and to that end the mixingtank9 isp'rovided for dissolving caustic soda to supply the tank 2 as rapidly as it may be needed. To accomplish this a small quantity of the lye is allowed to pass through the pipe 7 down through the pipe 14 to the hydrometer tank 15. When it becomes weakened the hydrometer float16 is no longer sustained but drops down actuating the balanced lever 17 on its fulcrum 18 and closing the electric circuit to the motor 27. This starts the auxiliary pump 26 .whichwithdraws weakened solution from the tank 2, passing it up; through the valved discharge pipe 29 through the pipe 10 int0 the mixing tank 9 where it takes upadditional quantity of the caustic soda or other disintegrating material which then passes out at the bottom of the mixing tank through the pipe 11 to the tank 2, thereby adding the caustic-soda to the contents of that tank and raising its density.

This, of course, is efi'ectively.mixed by the circulation and is passed to the heater pressure tank 3 and, of course, the strengthened solution then passes through the pipe 7 and thence to pipe 7' to the pipe 14 into the hydrometer tank 15. When the density of this solution has been raised to the desired pre ineaeis tank 2 is filled with water and the pump L is I started, delivering the water through the pipes 7 and 7. The valve 13 is, opened so that the main \pump delivers the water very rapidly through the mixing tank 9 and brings the lye up to the initial strength. Whenthe desired strength is approached the valve 13 may be closedto bring the hydrometer control into action.

While T have described my improved apparatus as applicable to caustic soda lye it would, of course, be applicable to any disintegrating solution, the specific gravity of which Would be varied by'the addition of disintegrating material employed. a

.I have shown 'motor means actuated electrically, but other means might be provided that would be under the controlof the hy- 'drometer so that the auxiliary circuit could be brought into action. These Ido not deem necessary to illustrate as they could be readily developed by any skilled mechanic.

1 have shown the parts here largely diagrammatically without illustrating the details of the various operating mechanisms. Such operating mechanisms are now wellknown and are further illustrated in my patent applications referred to.

My invention is applicable to a great variety of uses and will, of course, control by the auxiliary means and a hydrometer the.

strength. of any solution which is varied by the addition of a chemical or any material I to be dissolved.

My improved regulating means are thus capable'of general use whereverit is desired tomaintain the strength of a solution;

. ll, therefore, state that I desire to'claim the invention broadly and also specifically in its various relations and aspects as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what ll claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a lying apparatus the combination of the main tank a heater tank and main circulating connections therefrom to supply the lye forthe lying purposes, a recovery means for collecting the used lye and returning the same to the main tank a lye mixing tank, an auxiliary circulating connection from the main tankto deliver tothe said mixing tank comprising a pump, a return from the bottom of said mixing tank to the said main tank, an electric motor for-driving said auxiliary pumpa hydrometer, a by-pass circuit in the main circulating system delivering to the said hydrometer, an electric switch actuated by the said hydrometer 'to automatically close the circuit to start the said auxiliary motor at any predetermined position of the hydrometer, coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

2. In a lying apparatus the-combination of the main tank, a heater tank and main circulating connections therefrom to supply the lye for the lying purposes a recoverymeans for collecting the used lye and returning the same to the main tank, a lye mixing tank, an auxiliary circulating connection from the main tank to deliver to the said mixing tank comprising a pump, a return from the bottom of said mixing tank to the said main tank, an electric motor for driving said auxiliary pump, a hydrometer, a bypass circuit in the main circulating system delivering to the said hydrometer, an electric switch actuated by the said hydrometer to automatically close the circuit to start the said auxiliary motor, coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

3. In a lying apparatus the combination of the main tank, a main circulating connection therefrom to supply the lye for use, a lye mixin tank, an auxiliary circulation means delivering to the said lye mixing tank, electric means for controlling the auxiliary circulating means to the mixing tank. a hyd-rometer connected and disposed to be acted upon by the fluid of the main tank, electrical connections controlled by the operation of said hydrometer for controlling the electric means of said auxiliary circulating connection to the mixing tank, coacting as pecified.

4. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of the main tank, means for circulating the contents therefrom, a mixing tank, an auxiliary circulating-means supplied from the main tank to pass through the mixing tank, a hydrometer for indicating the strength of the solution of the main tank, and electric control means actuated by the hydromete'r for regulating the flow to the mixing tank, as specified.

5. In an apparatus of the class described,

vthe combination of a main tank, a mixing tank, means to deliver from the mixing tank to the main tank, a hydrometer acted upon by the solution from the main tank, electric means for controlling the flow from the mixing tank to the main tank and connections from the hydrometer to control the said electric means, as specified.

6. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of the main tank, a mixing tank for supplying additional chemical delivering to the main tank, a hydrometer disposed to be acted upon by the solution of the main tank, a means to deliver from the mixing tank to supply the main tank, and electrical means associated with and actuated by the hydrometer for controlling a means for delivering liquid from the main tank to the mixing tank.

7. A hydrometer control means to regu- SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY. 1,. 8. 

